Slim Dusty - Jumpin' the Rattler lyrics

rate me

The rich man takes an aeroplane the poor man takes a train

The hobo walks along the line but thats too much a strain

Oh Ive gotta hump my bluey now and Im beyond my prime

So Im jumpin the old rattler boys and gettin there on time

I go down to the railway yards and hide inside a truck

If railway men are hangin round I know they wish me luck

We rolled into a platform once and I was on my spine

Some flamin joker sprung me so I had to toe the line

Oh it really aint a crime so Im jumpin the old rattler boys

And gettin there on time

Its great to jump the rattler boys a gazin at the sky

Watchin all the clouds roll on as there content you lie

But half the time youre waitin round the sidings in the row

And thinkin if youd only walked youd be there long ago

A goods train sure is no express the engine snorts and sighs

Complainin as we move uphill and cannot make the rise

Once more we find the train has stopped and the trucks bang in the row

And then were movin backwards just to have another go

Oh it really aint a crime so Im jumpin the old rattler boys

And gettin there on time

Now as we roll and rattle on across the western plains

Its great to see the twinkling stars out where it seldom rains

Its great to see the sun come up to start another day

Oh use the trains you own them boys the railway posters say

Yes the rich man takes an aeroplane the poor man takes a train

The hobo walks along the line but thats too much a strain

Oh Ive gotta hump my bluey now and Im beyond my prime

So Im jumpin the old rattler boys and gettin there on time

[From the LP Songs of Australia - March 1964

BarcooBill]